The cow’s digestive system could revolutionise renewable energy
A group of scientists are looking at the way relatively unknown fungi works inside the guts of herbivores, including elephants and cows, in the hope that it holds the key to revolutionising biomass technology. Professor Theodorou, leader of the Agricultural Centre of Sustainable Energy Systems (ACSES) at Harper Adams University, is among the group of […]
Farmers betrayed by Government failure to renew agri-environment scheme
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has reacted angrily to a Welsh Government announcement that there will not be an entry-level agri-environment scheme application round in 2016, describing the decision as a betrayal of the commitments which underpinned the introduction of the Glastir scheme. Speaking at Thursday’s (February 11) Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Start of Term […]
Stats show need for Government solar thermal push
Government statistics published today on the Renewable Heat Incentive have shown that in November and December of last year solar thermal hot water heating made up 12% of the residential systems and only 2% of non-domestic systems supported by the scheme. Since the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive was introduced in April 2014 there have been […]
Despite reduced tariffs, solar remains good investment for householders
The Feed-in Tariff rate which is paid out for rooftop solar is to change at midnight tonight. Householders who go solar will from tomorrow onwards be eligible for the new rate of 4.39p/kWh which will be paid out from February. Although technically the Feed-in Tariff system will be paused for three weeks and restarted on […]
EU Commission to revisit CAP greening rules
The NFU has welcomed efforts by the EU Commission to gather experiences on implementing the new CAP greening rules. The new rules came into force for the first time last year and Commissioner Hogan has pledged to simplify the rules where he can. In order to inform the simplification efforts, the Commission has launched an […]
Global animal production becoming more sustainable by using less concentrate feed
Reducing the proportion of animal feed grown on crop land would have a positive effect on the availability of food and important environmental indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen surplus. A new study led by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, which was published in the scientific journal of the Royal Society Interface, […]
Christmas tree growers mark festive season at Downing Street
Two award-winning Christmas Tree businesses last night played a very special role in the start of the festive season, at the Prime Minister’s official residence. Oxfordshire’s Tree Barn and Guildford’s Santa Fir took part in the lights ‘switch on’ at Downing Street, in recognition of their trees, and a wreath, being chosen to feature at […]
Yara confirms commitment to combating climate change
Yara is present at the UN Climate Summit in Paris between November 30 – December 11 to highlight the role of agriculture in tackling climate change. A quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to agriculture. It is therefore important to recognize the huge potential for reducing these emissions through better land use […]
European Commission extends ‘unfair’ import tariff on Chinese solar panels
The European Commission over the weekend extended its punitive import tariffs and price controls on solar panels from China which were originally due to expire today, Monday 7 December. The move, called an Expiry Review, will mean that the import tariffs could remain in place for several more years and possibly until 2020. The Commission […]
